The 2025 Ahiajoku Lecture has taken a significant dimension with the announcement that Professor Anya O. Anya, a distinguished scholar and elder statesman, will serve as chairman of the epoch-making event. The lecture, scheduled to hold on November 28 at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre in Owerri, will feature His Lordship Most Reverend Professor Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, as the main lecturer.
Professor Anya’s appointment as chairman adds considerable weight to an already prestigious occasion. The eminent academic and public intellectual brings to the role decades of experience in scholarship, public service, and community leadership. His presence at the helm of the event is expected to provide the gravitas and intellectual depth required to moderate discussions on this year’s critical theme: “The Future of Igbo Economy Amidst the Challenges of Insecurity: A Call for Paradigm Shift.”
The pairing of Professor Anya as chairman and Bishop Onah as lecturer represents a powerful combination of intellectual firepower and moral authority. Both men are renowned for their scholarly contributions, fearless advocacy for justice, and unwavering commitment to the progress of Igbo land and Nigeria at large. Their collaboration on this platform is anticipated to produce profound insights and actionable recommendations on the economic and security challenges confronting the Southeast region.
Sources close to the Ahiajoku Centre have indicated that Professor Anya’s acceptance of the chairmanship role underscores his continued dedication to Igbo cultural preservation and development despite his advanced age and numerous commitments. His vast network across various sectors of Nigerian society and his reputation as a bridge-builder are expected to attract a diverse and influential audience to the event, further enriching the discourse and potential impact of the lecture.
The November 28 lecture will be preceded by the Ahiajoku Colloquium on November 27, where scholars and stakeholders will engage in preliminary discussions on aspects of the main theme.
With Professor Anya chairing the proceedings and Bishop Onah delivering the keynote lecture, both days promise robust intellectual engagements that could shape policy directions and inspire collective action toward addressing the region’s economic and security challenges.
Observers note that the caliber of leadership assembled for this year’s edition signals the seriousness by the Imo State Government of Senator Hope Uzodimma and Igbo stakeholders to confront the challenges facing Igbo economic development and the urgent need for innovative solutions.
The Ahiajoku Lecture remains the premier intellectual and cultural event in Igbo land, serving as a vital platform for addressing contemporary issues while celebrating and projecting Igbo heritage. With Professor Anya O. Anya at the chair and Bishop Onah delivering what promises to be a thought-provoking lecture, the 2025 edition is poised to set new standards for depth of analysis and practical relevance, potentially marking a turning point in the quest for sustainable economic development and security in the Southeast region.
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